Somei-Yoshino [ソメイヨシノ / 染井吉野] is the most popular and major sakura[桜](cherry blossom) in Japan.In Edo period [江戸時代], Somei-Yoshino were produced from some species of sakura trees by gardeners who lived in Somei village[染井村] in Komagome[駒込] area near Edo[江戸] city (=Tokyo).

A lot of Daimyo[大名](feudal samurai loads) had lived in Komagome area when they long-stayed in Edo. Their residences had big gardens and lot of trees. Therefore lot of people in Komagome made a living by gardening. In the middle of Edo period, not only high rank samurais but also common peoples in Edo were also interested in gardening and floriculture. Gardeners began new trials for Bonsai[盆栽](a dwarfed tree in a pot) and selective breeding of plants. One sakura specie was born the end of Edo period. People called new beautiful sakura "Somei-Yoshino". Mt.Yoshino[吉野山] is one of famous view points of sakura. People thought new sakura was as beautiful as sakura of Mt.Yoshino. Somei-Yoshino has such a background.

Generally almost sakura species bloom their flowers at the same time that they come into bud new leaves. But Somei-Yoshino bloom before budding leaves. Therefore, these sakura trees are completely covered by beautiful light pink blossoms and it's very beautiful.

In Maiji era[明治時代], Somei-Yoshino spread to all Japan. They became trees of lining streets.And a lot of Somei-Yoshino (and other skura trees) were sent to USA 100 years ago. They are blooming on the park of Potomac River in Washington.

That's a lot of snow! I remember seeing this photo [link] last year. I was shocked to see that there could be so much snow somewhere that is not the North/South Pole.I didn't know that the seaside was the heaviest snowy area in Japan. I always thought it was Hokkaido are the mountains.

To be exact, Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Niigata and Toyama (you can search them by Google Map) are the heaviest snowy areas in Japan. They are prefectures of the seaside of Japanese Sea. But the most snowy places in those areas are (needless to say) mountains. Tateyama which is one of high mountains (over 3000m) in Japan is very famous for snow walls. Hokkaido is coldest area in Japan, but less snowy than those prefectures.

Yeah, though they're not native, we still have a fair amount here and there. One of my neighbors had a huge cherry blossom, it was so pretty, the petals on the ground looked like snow. But sadly, they chose to cut the tree down :c